Personnel: Allan Holdsworth (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Allan Holdsworth (synthesizer); Rowanne Mark, Naomi Star (vocals); Gordon Beck (piano, programming); Steve Hunt , Billy Childs, Billy Childs Trio (keyboards); Dave Carpenter (acoustic bass, double bass); Tony Williams (drums); Alan Pasqua (keyboards); Jimmy Johnson (bass guitar); Gary Husband , Gary Novak, Kirk Covington, Chad Wackerman, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums). Liner Note Author: Christopher Hoard. Photographers: Gary Husband ; Lissa Wales; Eddie Coralnick; Glen LaFerman; Christopher Hoard. Unknown Contributor Role: John England. Allan Holdsworth's guitar prowess is well known in music circles, but he remains something less than a household name. His large and sometimes uneven discography has floated in and out of print, making it difficult for curious listeners to know where to start. Against the Clock is a double-disc collection taken from nine different albums, dating back to 1984. Holdsworth himself was behind the selections, so this collection finally represents what the artist himself feels are his finest recorded moments. The package is smartly sequenced as well; the first disc concentrates on guitar tracks while the second is devoted to Holdsworth's Synthaxe work (a guitar synthesizer with breath control). His extremely fast and fluid lines on guitar are extremely impressive and his synthaxe work opens up a whole new world of orchestral possibility for the guitar. Fusion fans take note: this is the place to start to get acquainted with Allan Holdsworth. ~ Sean Westergaard

• Genre: Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 5/24/2005